Manchester United v Portsmouth
The FA Community Shield, sponsored by McDonald's 2008
3pm, Sunday 10 August 2008
Wembley Stadium
Live on Setanta, highlights on ITV
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp admits that the feeling of walking out at Wembley again on Sunday is something that he’s been looking forward to all summer.
Redknapp got a taste of it all last May when he led Pompey to FA Cup victory against Cardiff City at the famous venue and now he is preparing for a quick return for the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon.
They take on Premier League champions Manchester United and Redknapp believes it has the makings of being a great game.
“To be back at Wembley, taking on Manchester United as The FA Cup holders, will be fantastic,” revealed Redknapp.
“It’s another great day out for our supporters and it promises to be a great game of football.
“Any time you play United is always special – they’re a special team.
“I’m looking forward to walking out with Sir Alex Ferguson on Sunday. I got a lovely congratulatory letter off him at the end of the last season, which I appreciated very much.
“He’s very, very involved with the game at every level and is a real legend.”
Pompey actually beat United en route to their Cup success too, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the quarter final and that gave the Hampshire club the impetus to go on and lift The Cup for the second time in their history and for the first time since 1939.
Not many people would have had Portsmouth down as their favourites to lift The Cup at the start of the campaign and that’s why Redknapp sees their achievement as all the more remarkable.
“Winning The Final here in May was a great feeling for us. No team from outside the top four had won The Cup in the past 13 years,” he added.
“Right now, for anybody outside the top four, that’s a big achievement. The ‘big four’ wouldn’t be satisfied with that, obviously, they’ve got to be there but it’s becoming more and more difficult for anyone else to win anything.”
Redknapp is now readying his squad for what promises to be an exciting season. With European football to look forward to in the UEFA Cup and the challenge to improve on their eighth placed finish in the Premiership, there is also the prospect of a new look strike partnership at Fratton Park, following the summer arrival of England international Peter Crouch from Liverpool.
Crouch will now be looking to form a good understanding with fellow Lion Jermain Defoe, after deciding on a return to the south coast club for a second spell.
“It was great to get Peter Crouch in over the summer,” admitted Redknapp.
“His sale last time around played a massive part in bringing in the money that helped us get promoted.
“He’s a terrific player, and a lovely lad with it. But to use him right, you have to educate the players on how to play with him – how to cross the ball and where to put it.
“If we can work on getting the best out of Peter, he’ll be terrific for us alongside Jermain Defoe.
“Then there’s the evergreen Kanu, of course, and David Nugent and I’ve taken young Ben Sahar on loan from Chelsea. He’s busy, and works hard."
And if the competitive nature of his side on Sunday is anything like what the competition for striking places will be like in his squad, then Redknapp will be more than happy with his lot.
